Get on site!

The construction skills certification scheme (CSCS) was introduced in 1995 to protect the quality of work on construction sites and to reduce the number of accidents. The aim of the scheme is to keep a record of workers in the construction industry who have achieved a recognised level of competence and to raise the standard of health and safety throughout the industry. Last year the scheme was extended to encompass electronic security personnel.

This followed discussions with the British Security Industry Association, whose members had called for a specialist security scheme to be established in the light of the growing demand for competency cards to be produced. However, take-up of the scheme has been disappointingly low and the deadline of the end of 2003 is looming for all companies working for the Major Contractors Group (MCG) to have a fully qualified workforce.

MCG companies will soon start asking – if they haven’t already – whether security contractors have formal industry training procedures in place and some sites are already turning away workers who do not hold current CSCS cards. So what does a security installer need to know about the CSCS and the competency card?

CSCS is controlled by a management board whose members include the Construction Confederation, Federation of Master Builders, GMB trade union, National Specialist Contractors Council, Transport and General Workers Union and Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians. As the most widely-recognised competency card, it really does have the backing of the whole industry.

To receive the CSCS recognition, an individual has to prove their competency either through the completion of NVQs or through on-the-job assessment. The resulting CSCS card provides employers with proof that workers have the requisite skills for the job, including health and safety awareness and knowledge of safe operating practices. The scheme will have more than 500,000 cardholders and ten affiliates by the end of 2003.

More employable

Holding a CSCS card makes skilled tradespersons more employable and with increasing numbers of contractors of all sizes specifying industry qualifications at the tendering stage, CSCS registration makes a company more competitive and attractive to the contractor. More than 154 occupations within construction can apply for a CSCS card.

New entrants often choose to get NVQ qualified through a college or training centre, either through block or day release. Experienced workers tend to opt for assessment on the job through On-Site Assessment and Training, which allows employees to work towards NVQs and be assessed by a qualified assessor while doing their day-to-day work on-site, so minimising downtime. Operatives must also pass a touch-screen health and safety test.

There are four routes of entry open to those working in the security system installation sector. NVQ trainees can apply for the Trainee Card (coloured red) while those who have achieved NVQ levels 2 or 3 can apply for a Skilled Card (coloured blue or gold). They also have to pass the construction health and safety test. The industry accreditation route will remain open for two years, until April 2004. Once this closes the experienced worker route with on-the-job assessment will open.

As the most widely recognised competency card, it really does have the backing of the whole industry

CSCS cards are valid for five years from date of issue and are renewable on application, and by taking another touch-screen health and safety test. The CSCS registration and qualification C process is fully supported by the Construction Industry Training Board who administer the scheme and are on hand to provide advice and assistance to get you and your workforce qualified.

CSCS Chairman Tony Merricks commented: “We have a scheme here where everybody is a winner and everybody gets prizes. Importantly, the operatives get skills recognition. So often they have skills – maybe not through formal training – but they aren’t recognised. In addition, the card makes them more employable: a cardholder will always be preferable to an unknown installer who could be a ‘cowboy’.

“They have got recognition of their skills and, of course, above all it ensures that they and their colleagues are working safely. We all rely on our colleagues in construction, and it is often somebody else’s mistake that can be fatal, so having a 100 per cent CSCS site helps to ensure safety.”

Mr Merricks added: “From the employer’s point of view, he or she knows that if a new operative walks through the door with a CSCS card, they can be confident in that person’s ability. The employer knows that they have basic health and safety skills and are competent at doing their job. In addition, they have the benefit of being able to create a skills database of their workforce.”

The MCG includes companies such as Carillion, Kier Group, Taylor Woodrow, Wates, Morgan Sindall, Willmott Dixon, Miller, Mansell, Shepherd, Skanska, Costain, Gleeson, HBG Construction, Amec, Alfred McAlpine, Ballast and Bovis Lend Lease.

But the MCG are not the only ones signed up to using a fully qualified workforce. Other federations and organisations with deadlines include Civil Engineering Contractors Association, National Federation of Builders, Construction Confederation, National Specialists Contractors Council and the Federation of Master Builders.

The MCG is totally committed to realising the aim of having a fully qualified workforce. Without a CSCS card, you and your employees will not be able to work for a member of the MCG in 2004, so there is perhaps less time than you think to ensure your company maintains its competitive edge. With other contractors following the MCG’s example and already reaping the benefits of employing qualified, efficient sub-contractors, it really is time for you to act. A fully trained workforce is both in the interests of the cardholder as well as the employer and is easy to achieve.